A proposed Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter base near Lengpui airport, around 32 km from Mizoram’s capital Aizawl, has run into controversy following allegations of large-scale irregularities in land acquisition, including claims that compensation was paid at nearly twice the market price to select individuals, sources said.
The controversy has triggered political protests and raised serious questions about transparency in the land acquisition process for the strategic Defence project.
In February last year, the IAF expressed strong interest in fast-tracking the fighter base project during a high-level meeting held in Aizawl on February 15, 2025. The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, senior officials from the Union Home Ministry, Mizoram government representatives, and officers from the Border Security Force, Assam Rifles and other security agencies.
At the meeting, Mizoram government officials agreed in principle to allow the IAF to build a new facility over 200 acres of land adjacent to the existing commercial airport at Lengpui. The proposed base was expected to house fighter aircraft and include a refuelling facility.
Land acquisition and emergence of allegations
Before the proposal could receive final clearance, allegations surfaced regarding inflated compensation paid for land acquired for the project.
The Mizoram government had acquired eight parcels of land across Parchhingchheng and Tuilut villages near Lengpui by invoking the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
An official letter dated March 11, 2020, from an Under Secretary of the Mizoram government to the Aizawl Deputy Commissioner sought a no-objection certificate for land acquisition to obtain “in-principle approval” from the Ministry of Defence. Copies were also sent to senior IAF officials under Eastern Air Command.
Rs 187.90 crore compensation to two individuals
Last year, compensation amounting to Rs 187.90 crore was paid to two individuals. According to records, Rs 117.90 crore was deposited on July 25, 2025, in the bank account of Henry Lalremsanga Hlawnmual, a real estate operator based in Aizawl who runs Zawlbuk Real Estate. Another Rs 70 crore was paid to Rohmingliana on July 25 and August 26, 2025.
A Special Power of Attorney executed on January 9, 2024, shows that Rohmingliana appointed Hlawnmual as his representative to handle the land acquisition process. Under the agreement, Rohmingliana was to receive Rs 70 crore, while any amount exceeding this sum would go to Hlawnmual.
Protests and political reaction
The allegations sparked protests in Aizawl on Wednesday, with state Congress leaders leading a march against the proposed IAF airbase at Lengpui. Protesters accused the state government of shielding those involved and demanded a thorough probe into the land acquisition process.
Local media reports suggest that the Mizoram government has remained evasive in its responses to the allegations.
Questions raised under the Right to Information (RTI) Act have reportedly been met with incomplete and unclear responses from the state government. When a complaint was filed before the Chief Information Commissioner, officials responded, but the reply indicated that the “transparency” provisions of the 2013 RFCTLARR Act had not been fully adhered to.
Original landowners allege they were bypassed
Further controversy has arisen over the ownership of the land parcels. Rohmingliana had purchased eight Village Council (VC) Pass plots in Vaivakawn Zohnuai from seven residents of Lengpui in 2004. VC Pass lands are customary land holdings recognised by village councils in Mizoram.
However, when the state government acquired the land for the IAF project, the plots were reportedly still registered in the names of the original owners. Local media reports claim these villagers did not receive any compensation beyond small payments made over two decades ago. The villagers also allege they did not sign any documents related to the compensation disbursed by the government.
In 2005, Rohmingliana is said to have converted the VC Pass lands into Garden Land Settlement Certificates (LSCs), which are official titles issued for agricultural or horticultural use. Media reports suggest that the original landowners were unaware of this conversion, even though the LSCs were issued in their names.
Original landowners Pu Biaklawma and Pu H L Samuela told local media that while they had sold the land to Rohmingliana, they were not informed about the conversion to Garden LSCs.
Questionable sale deeds and payments
All sale deeds, executed on non-judicial stamp paper, are dated May 9, 2005. Except for one deed related to Pu Thanzuala, the documents reportedly lack clear notary signatures or mention of the agreed sale price. Biaklawma and Samuela have claimed they did not sign the sale deeds presented to them.
RTI records indicate that Thanzuala “received” Rs 49.76 crore, while another original landowner from Lengpui allegedly “received” Rs 27.56 crore, raising further questions about how compensation amounts were determined and disbursed.
As allegations continue to mount, the future of the proposed IAF fighter base near Lengpui remains uncertain, with demands growing for an independent investigation into the land acquisition process.